Estradas would be 'torn' if Poe runs vs Binay, says JV

By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Senator JV Ejercito admitted the Estradas would be "torn" and put in a difficult spot if Senator Grace Poe decides to run for president against Vice President Jejomar Binay in the 2016 elections.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is the United Nationalist Alliance’s acknowledged standard bearer in 2016.

Asked whether the Estradas would still support Binay if Poe runs, Ejercito said: "Malayo pa naman ‘yan. Mahirap talaga minsan. Of course, we will be torn again. We have personal relationships and political relationships that we would be considering. So we just wait and see kung ano ang mangyayari. Tutal wala namang nagdedeklara. Mahirap ‘yun kung parehong nagdeklara. [Huwag] muna natin isipin ‘yun. But as of now, UNA’s standard bearer and acknowledged leader is Vice President Binay."

Poe issued a statement Wednesday to douse talk of a possible team-up with Escudero in 2016.

"I would like to clarify an online report about my plans to run for 2016. While I may have been less than categorical on the matter, the fact remains that I have not made any plans to run for higher office," Poe said.

Still, a Grace Poe-Chiz Escudero tandem, Ejercito said, would be a "strong" one and would make the 2016 elections "very interesting."

"That would be a very strong tandem, considering that they are both young. That would make the 2016 elections very interesting considering that as of now, hindi naman sa minamaliit natin ang LP or any other candidate, but as of now—of course I come from the UNA—I am very confident that if elections were held tomorrow that we will be winning it with Vice President Binay getting a very, very high trust rating," Ejercito said.

Ejercito however said that UNA is worried that pending cases involving UNA personalities may be used to attack the party.

He cited, among other issues, the disqualification case against Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

"We are also wary in the opposition right now considering that one of our heads has been detained and then may mga ibang kaso pang nakaumang… We are also worried and at the same time we are aware of these things. Medyo syempre worried din kami being in the opposition. Hindi naman kami nasa puder. Maaaring ‘yan ay halungkatin at gamitin nila para siraan si Vice President Binay," he said.